At least 2 people die in new Tunisia violence

People chant during a demonstration in Tunis, Tunisia, against high prices and unemployment, Saturday Jan.8, 2011. Witnesses say five people were injured after security forces opened fire on protesters during another street demonstration over high unemployment in central Tunisia. One witness, a un

/ AP

People chant during a demonstration in Tunis, Tunisia, against high prices and unemployment, Saturday Jan.8, 2011. Witnesses say five people were injured after security forces opened fire on protesters during another street demonstration over high unemployment in central Tunisia. One witness, a union official, says a police officer also was injured in the protest in Saida in which demonstrators set fire to tires and threw stones in the latest in three weeks of unrest.(AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)

People chant during a demonstration in Tunis, Tunisia, against high prices and unemployment, Saturday Jan.8, 2011. Witnesses say five people were injured after security forces opened fire on protesters during another street demonstration over high unemployment in central Tunisia. One witness, a union official, says a police officer also was injured in the protest in Saida in which demonstrators set fire to tires and threw stones in the latest in three weeks of unrest.(AP Photo/Hassene Dridi) (/ AP)

The Associated Press

A man kisses the Tunisian flag during a demonstration in Tunis, Tunisia, against high prices and unemployment, Saturday Jan. 8, 2011. Witnesses say five people were injured after security forces opened fire on protesters during another street demonstration over high unemployment in central Tunisia.

/ AP

A man kisses the Tunisian flag during a demonstration in Tunis, Tunisia, against high prices and unemployment, Saturday Jan. 8, 2011. Witnesses say five people were injured after security forces opened fire on protesters during another street demonstration over high unemployment in central Tunisia. One witness, a union official, says a police officer also was injured in the protest in Saida in which demonstrators set fire to tires and threw stones in the latest in three weeks of unrest.(AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)

A man kisses the Tunisian flag during a demonstration in Tunis, Tunisia, against high prices and unemployment, Saturday Jan. 8, 2011. Witnesses say five people were injured after security forces opened fire on protesters during another street demonstration over high unemployment in central Tunisia. One witness, a union official, says a police officer also was injured in the protest in Saida in which demonstrators set fire to tires and threw stones in the latest in three weeks of unrest.(AP Photo/Hassene Dridi) (/ AP)

A child holds a sign asking for the release of Tunisians, kept in custody by police following recent protests, during a demonstration held in Tunis, Tunisia, Saturday Jan. 8, 2011. Youths in the North African nation have been rioting for days following sudden price hikes for staples including suga

/ AP

A child holds a sign asking for the release of Tunisians, kept in custody by police following recent protests, during a demonstration held in Tunis, Tunisia, Saturday Jan. 8, 2011. Youths in the North African nation have been rioting for days following sudden price hikes for staples including sugar, flour and oil. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)

A child holds a sign asking for the release of Tunisians, kept in custody by police following recent protests, during a demonstration held in Tunis, Tunisia, Saturday Jan. 8, 2011. Youths in the North African nation have been rioting for days following sudden price hikes for staples including sugar, flour and oil. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi) (/ AP)

Tunisia's Interior Ministry says at least two people have been killed and eight injured in new rioting in this tiny North African nation where unrest is in its fourth week. A union official put the death toll at five.

The Interior Ministry's statement Sunday did not say how the deaths the previous day occurred. Two demonstrators have previously been shot to death by police.

Union official Belgacem Saihi told The Associated Press that up to five people had died in the western city of Thala.

The unrest that began in the central-western town of Sidi Bouzaid over joblessness and other social ills has spread through that region and beyond and shows no signs of stopping.

Two demonstrators have also died in similar violence in neighboring Algeria.